Who was Paul commissioned to preach to, the Jews or the Gentiles?
Paul was commissioned to preach Christ to the Gentiles, not to the Jews. The context states he was to preach Him not among the Jews but to the heathen or Gentiles, and that this commissioning traces back to Acts chapter 9. Later, Paul confirms he was called by grace to preach among the Gentiles.
Les teaches that Paul was called by grace to preach among the Gentiles, not the Jews. The transcript says Paul was to preach Him not amongst the Jews but the heathen or Gentiles, and that is why he was commissioned in Acts chapter 9. Paul himself says that when he was called to preach among the Gentiles, immediately he conferred not with flesh and blood. Les illustrates this principle with a young man in North Carolina who became a rabid student of the Scriptures, ordered all the tapes and books, and wondered why God did not give him a chance to use his knowledge. Les told him to wait, and later the man became a ham shortwave operator with a class of men, as many as 20–25 listening as he taught the Scriptures over shortwave. Les uses this to show that God provides the opening in His time, just as Paul’s calling was specifically to the Gentiles.
To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
What was Paul's commission according to Galatians 1:16?
According to Galatians 1:16, God revealed His Son in Paul so that Paul might preach Him among the Gentiles, the non-Jews. This commission came immediately after his conversion at Damascus, and he did not confer with flesh and blood or go up to Jerusalem to the apostles before him.
When did the gospel Paul preached to the Gentiles become God's plan of salvation?
The gospel Paul preached to the Gentiles became God's plan of salvation after Christ finished the work of the cross and revealed that plan to Paul by revelation of the ascended Lord Jesus. Paul did not receive it from man or by human teaching; it came from the glorified Christ.
More Questions
Why did Paul preach to the Gentiles?
God revealed His Son in Paul so that Paul would preach Jesus among the Gentiles, and this happened right after Paul's conversion at Damascus.
Why did Paul go primarily to the Gentiles instead of to the Jews?
Paul, like God's Old Testament dealings with Israel, was sent primarily to the Gentiles, while only a few Jews come into the Body of Christ — the reverse of the Old Testament pattern where God dealt only with the Jew and a few Gentiles picked up the gleanings.
Why was Paul's mission to the Gentiles such a change in how God was working?
Sending Saul to the Gentiles marks a sudden change in format, something never seen before, because during his earthly ministry Jesus restricted his mission to Israel, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles.